Doula Alliance of Arkansas appoints executive director
The Doula Alliance of Arkansas announced Wednesday (Dec. 17) that Liyah Wasson, a founding board member and longtime advocate for equitable maternal health, has been named the organization’s new executive director.
Wasson has served on the board since the Alliance’s launch in August 2024 and most recently held the roles of secretary and director of operations. Her appointment marks an important milestone in the Alliance’s continued growth as it begins the formal process of applying for a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation.
The Doula Alliance of Arkansas is a collaborative initiative dedicated to enhancing Arkansas’ maternal health outcomes by advancing the profession of birth work through advocacy and education, expanding access to high-quality doula services statewide, and providing a professional support system for doulas in Arkansas.
As a certified birth doula, certified lactation counselor, doula mentor, nonprofit leader, and community organizer, Wasson brings more than seven years of direct perinatal care experience and a strong background in nonprofit and operational leadership to the role.
She is also the founder of Keep Birth Beautiful, a community-based maternal health initiative that focuses on providing accessible, evidence-based support to Arkansas families.
As executive director, Wasson will guide statewide efforts to expand access to perinatal support, strengthen the doula workforce, and advance equitable maternal health outcomes across Arkansas. Her leadership will focus on building collaborative systems, promoting community-driven solutions, and ensuring that doulas have the necessary training, resources, and advocacy infrastructure to thrive.
“As a doula, I’ve learned that leadership requires equal measures of compassion and clarity, and I intend to bring both to this role,” Wasson said. “Arkansas families deserve care that is respectful, evidence-based, and rooted in community. I am honored to lead this organization alongside the doulas who make this work possible, and I’m committed to building the systems and support that will drive real, sustainable change in maternal health across our state.”
According to a press release, Wasson has played a role in the Alliance’s development since its founding, helping shape its mission, leading membership and community engagement efforts, and working directly with state legislators to advance the passage of Arkansas’ scope-of-practice bill for doulas, now Act 965.
“Liyah is not only an exceptional doula — she is an exceptional leader,” said Nicolle Fletcher, board president and co-founder of the Doula Alliance of Arkansas. “She understands the challenges doulas face because she has lived them, and she has the strategic vision, expertise, and passion to guide our profession forward. Liyah will be adept at leading her peers and driving the systemic change Arkansas families need and deserve.”
The Doula Alliance of Arkansas was formed to unite doulas across the state, expand access to equitable perinatal support, and strengthen maternal health outcomes for Arkansas families. Through advocacy, community building, evidence-based education, and policy-forward leadership, the organization works to ensure that every family has access to compassionate, culturally competent care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.